5 O’Clock Shadow Double Black Lager is brewed in the German Schwarzbier (black beer) tradition. Schwarzbier is to lager what stout or porter is to ale. Like those dark British beers, Schwarzbier has long been considered nourishing and even curative. German doctors often recommend Schwarzbier for nursing mothers. Our Brewmaster, born in Munich, was the beneficiary of just such advice.

We have taken the traditional Schwarzbier, intended to be a “session beer” with typically moderate alcohol, and almost doubled its strength to 7.6% alcohol by volume. We brewed our version with a fine balance of crystal and roasted malts and spiced it with noble hops. We fermented 5 O’Clock Shadow at cold temperatures with a select German lager yeast and cold-conditioned it for over four months to create a velvety smooth, easy drinking springtime brew.

This German lager pours a deep brown, almost black color with ruby highlights. It has soft dark chocolate notes with hints of caramel and a light roasty finish.

I am happy to see US brewers break out into their own style even if they are originally inspired by more traditional styles. Double Black Lager just has a certain ring to it and this beer has won me over.

Mouthfeel: medium-light carbonation, medium body, very sweet with nice char bitterness at the end

Overall: Was not expecting such an impressive beer after such a disappointing smell. However if you can get past the average Bosco type of smell, this beer really delivers. Taste wise it is up there with the best domestic schwarrzbiers I have had. This beer is incredibly smooth for the style. I would certainly split this one again.

Fresh bottle from Lakeview Liquors, Chicago. Midnight black colour with suitable white head. Strong roast aroma. Significant chocolate, mild roast, good drinkability and not very complex, consistent with the style.Slightly above average mouthfeel. Worth seeking out for people liking this style, or stouts.

Poured a deep dark black with some dark clear mahogany highlights, a nice sticky dark tan head with lots of lacing.

The smell is very good, big char, smoke, and a bit of leather.

The flavor is both full and restrained at the same time, lots of nice complex flavors going on with none of them overpowering the others. Nice levels of smoke and char along with subtle chocolate and a nice touch of earthy bitterness giving it a very nice even quality.

poured from 750 into a pilsner glass. Pours a dark chocolate color with a frothy head

Very pungent with aromas of coffee, dark chocolate, toffee, and loads of roasted malts. Good depth on the aromas as well

medium bodied with a smooth feel, but the flavors overpower a bit. The flavors of roasted malts, coffee, and dark chocolate aren't out of whack, but they feel like they are fighting for attention a slight bit

I think I would've liked more balanced and nuance to this. It's certainly a big schwarzbier and doesn't aim for balance as much as blunt force on the flavors.

Picked this up tonight at the COOP on the way home from work... it pours deep dark walnut brown.... when held to a light the stem end of my glass glows a deep ruby.... Dark tan head sticks around for a bit leaving nice drapes of crusty lacing.

The nose is roasty.... a bit coffee like... some dark toast is rounded out by hints of malty sweetness.... smells pretty clean.

Flavor mirrors the aromas.... very clean... no fruity esters... just nice malty goodness.

The body is a solid medium... carbonation is good small bubble... everpresent.

Interesting brew... I would drink it sooner than later... I doubt cellaring will do anything to help an already fresh clean brew.